Accident Numbers Rise in Brazil

The number of aviation accidents in Brazil in 2012 rose by 5.6 percent to 168 from the previous year’s 159, as reported by the country’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (Cenipa). Last year’s figures–designated as preliminary at this point by the agency–represent the highest accident totals since record keeping began in 2000.

Total accident numbers have been rising over the past decade. In 2002, for example, there were 61 accidents.

The number of deaths last year (71), however, represents a decline from 90 in 2011. The number of helicopter accidents declined to 22 from 27. The two accidents with the highest number of deaths (eight each), however, involved helicopters. “The number of accidents having risen is always bad, but what matters is that fatalities decreased,” said aeronautical engineer Jorge Leal Medeiros.